How to Set Up the Oculus Rift

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You just bought one of the most immersive virtual reality headsets available, but you don't know where to start. This guide will walk you through configuring the Oculus Rift headset and Touch motion controllers so you can get started in VR.

Make Sure You Have the Hardware

You need to get the Oculus Rift first, which is available for $399 and includes everything you need on the headset and controller end of things: the Rift headset itself, two sensors, two Touch motion controllers, and the Oculus Remote.

That's only half of the hardware, though. You also need a PC that can handle virtual reality. Oculus recommends a system with at least an Intel Core i5-4950/AMD Ryzen 5 1500X CPU, an Nvidia GTX 970/1060 or AMD Radeon R9 290/RX 480, 8GB of RAM, three USB 3.0 ports, and an HDMI 1.3 port. If you don't have that, it's time to go shopping. You can also look for gaming PCs labeled Oculus Ready, or read our lists of the best desktops and laptops for VR.

Download and Install the Oculus Rift Software

Go to http://www.oculus.com/rift/setup and click Download Oculus Rift Software. If the link doesn't work, go to the Oculus site, click on Rift, then click on Setup to find the page. Install the software, which will take a while; the installer has to download several gigabytes of additional data to get your system ready for the Rift.

Create an Oculus Account

Once the Oculus software is installed and you run it, you will be prompted to create or sign in with an Oculus account. Don't worry, this is a free account with no subscription fees or anything on top of the price you already paid for the Rift. It does, however, offer access to the Oculus Store, which lets you purchase and download Oculus Rift software. Think of it like a Steam account (which will be another step, and another way to get VR games).

Watch the Safety Video

The software will play a short video that goes over basic safety issues regarding the Oculus Rift, like appropriate ages for use and being aware of your surroundings. You can't skip this.

Begin Configuring the Headset

If the Oculus software doesn't immediately jump into walking you through connecting the Rift and various sensors, you can manually begin this process on the main screen that pops up. Click Devices, then click Configure Rift, and then Full Setup to engage the multi-step process that actually gets your headset working with your PC.

Physically Connect the Headset and Sensors

This is the most technically strenuous part of the process. You need to plug four cables into your computer. Connect the two webcam-like sensors to USB 3.0 ports, then plug the headset cable into another USB port and your computer's HDMI output. When everything is connected, the software will show each device with a green checkmark and OK.

Wirelessly Connect the Controllers

The next screen will ask you to set up your input devices. The Oculus Rift comes with the Oculus Touch motion controllers and Oculus Remote, and you can also use an Xbox One gamepad with the headset. Check the first two items at least, and the Xbox Controller if you have one, and click Next.

Each controller needs to be turned on and set to pair individually, with a separate screen indicating how to do it. For the remote, just hold the center button down. For the left Oculus Touch controller, hold the Menu and Y buttons for two seconds. For the right Oculus Touch controller, hold the Oculus and B buttons for two seconds. In all of those cases, the software should automatically detect the controllers and pair them wirelessly with your PC.

Update the Firmware

When everything is paired and connected, the software will then start updating the firmware on the headset, sensors, Oculus Touch controllers, and remote. This can take a few minutes. Make sure you don't unplug anything until it's done.

Position Your Sensors

The two sensors follow the Oculus Rift and Oculus Touch controllers, tracking their position in 3D space in front of your desk (or wherever else you've set it up). To do this, they need to be placed properly to cover the full area where you want to use VR. An open square measuring at least 10 by 10 feet is recommended. Once that area is cleared, you can position the sensors and make sure everything is working properly.

The two sensors should be placed three to six feet apart from each other, so at least a foot away from either side of your monitor. Make sure the glossy black sides are facing you, because those are the lenses of each sensor.

When you think you've found a good spot, click through to the Initiate Sensor Tracking screen. You'll be directed to hold a Touch controller where you will be using the Rift and pull the trigger. If you're lucky, a green checkmark and two blue fields will appear on the screen, which means the sensors are positioned correctly. You'll more likely to see an error and arrows directing you to rotate the sensors to better cover the playing area. The sensors have a wider field of view than you might think, so it's best to point them straight forward and adjust from there, instead of pointing them both directly at you.

Draw Your Playing Area

With your playing area clear and the sensors positioned correctly, you can set the boundaries of where you want to use the Rift. This is called the Guardian System, and it makes a grid appear when you step near the edge of the space you've cleared for using VR. Hold one of the Touch controllers in front of your computer, in range of the sensors, and pull the trigger. With the trigger held down, draw a boundary around the edges of your play area, making sure you keep the controller between yourself and the sensors so you don't block it. Once you've drawn a large enough area, a green box will appear, indicating that you have a proper space for using VR.

If you don't have enough space, you can disable the Guardian System and use VR software that focuses on standing still, with limited physical movement.

Adjust Your Headset

The Oculus Rift needs to fit comfortably on your head to work, and this will take a few adjustments. Learn where the straps of the headset connect, and how they can be tightened or loosened with their hook and loop fasteners. Put the headset over your head and pull the straps until it feels snug but not too tight. It should stay on your face without shifting when you move your head.

After that, you can adjust the lens position to give yourself the best view through the Rift. A sliding lever on the lower left corner of the Rift moves the lenses in front of your eyes, so you can make adjustments if the picture doesn't look sharp.

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